Trinidad Carnival

Paper Summary:

This paper discusses the Trinidad and Tobago Carnival, which is celebrated the week before Ashe Wednesday every year and is among the largest and most popular in the world. The paper notes that, according to the Trinidad and Tobago official website, this annual event is unrivaled in the world. Rich in history and a reflection of its history, the Carnival continues to evolve to the present day. The paper points out that, as a symbol of freedom, and a celebration of freedom from slavery, the Trinidad and Tobago Carnivals are significant to the islands because they represent a celebration of freedom that is deeply rooted in the culture of the nation. However the Carnival is not merely a celebration but also an outlet for commentary on the important issues affecting Trinidad. The writer concludes that today, the Carnival is a subject of controversy, and that will not change in the future, as the Carnival's very inception celebrates freedom, while challenging the norms of its day.

From the Paper:

"Racial tensions were still prevalent as the Carnival celebrators maintained as sense of their African heritage. A key event in 1881 illustrates the tension as a new commander, Captain Baker, took over the police force to be tougher on the celebrations. During the popular Canboulay celebrations which celebrated the burning of the canes on slave plantations which would unite slaves after they put out the fires, the Carnival celebrators carried torches through the streets against Baker's wishes. Rioters then clashed with police and despite the violence the Carnival continued. They then mocked the police in future celebrations as tensions between the authorities and those celebrating would continue throughout the 19th century. Ultimately, the Trinidad Carnival was influenced by its history as a slave plantation island and the social and racial tensions would contribute to the practice of Carnival. Even after emancipation, the issues of slavery and racism were still being expressed and celebrated and maintained a presence in Carnival parades and masquerades."

Sample of Sources Used:

• "Carnival: The Greatest Show on Earth." Trinidad & Tobago Official Website. 2001. 28 Feb 2007. < http://www.visittnt.com/ToDo/Events/Carnival/background/default.html > .
• Cowley, John. "Carnival in Trinidad" The Magazine for Traditional Music throughout the world. 1995. 27 Feb 2007. < http://www.mustrad.org.uk/articles/trinidad.htm > .
• Cowley, John. Carnival, Canboulay and Calypso. Cambridge, GB: Cambridge University Press, 1996.
• Crowley, Daniel J. "The Meanings of Carnival." The Clarion. 27 Feb 1954.
• Darway, Norma. "De things dat changed de stigma." The Story of the Steelpan. 1 March 2005. 25 Feb 2007. < http://www.trinbagopan.com/darway/01030513.htm > .

More papers on Trinidad Carnival:

• Essay # 53632 : "African Influence on Trinidad Carnivals"
• Essay # 14720 : "Carnival In Trinidad and Tobago"
• Analytical Essay # 69950 : "Strategy Assessment of Carnival Corporation"

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